Gov. Tim Walz switched his executive hat for his union cap on Wednesday, when he spread the Walz-schmaltz thick and heavy on a Boston audience filled with union firefighters.

Walz was in the seaport to address the International Association of Firefighters 57 international convention, when he brought the audience to their feet several times after hammering home his beliefs in unions and workers’ rights.

“I’ve had people tell me, ‘I’m not that into politics,’ and my response is ‘that’s too damn bad, because politics is into you,’” he told the crowd.

Walz spent years as a union school teacher, he said, and he knows the benefit that comes to workers who are organized. His speech, absent some of the folksy charm he’s known for but filled with the fire of a union leader demanding a fair shake, lasted about 20 minutes.

Walz spent time speaking as a governor, and as a former coach and a veteran, but stuck mostly to a pro-worker, pro-union message that seemed to resonate with audience.

“We know, that when unions are strong, America is strong,” Walz said.

Vice President Kamala Harris, Walz said, understands and believes in workers rights, and has a record that’s easy to contrast with former President Donald Trump and Ohio’s U.S. Sen. JD Vance.

This is a developing story and it will be updated.

Boston, MA – Democratic candidate for Vice President Tim Walz speaks at the International Association Of Firefighters convention. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)